Uber and Lyft are finally starting to look like different companies

Uber and Lyft have been operating on parallel tracks for a long time. Drivers moonlight for both services, customers toggle between the two apps, and despite Lyft’s efforts to position itself as a “woke” alternative to Uber, the two companies essentially operate identical ride-sharing services in the US. Of course, there’s a lot to differentiate… Continue reading Uber and Lyft are finally starting to look like different companies

GM’s robotaxis are only coming out after dark – CNN

Cruise has for years tested its self-driving cars in San Francisco and planned to offer rides to the public. “The chaotic, gritty streets of SF are our launchpad,” Cruise’s then-CEO Dan Ammann wrote in a 2020 blog post. “An electric car, driving by itself, navigating one of the most difficult driving cities in the world.”… Continue reading GM’s robotaxis are only coming out after dark – CNN

Uber posts quarterly profit on strong delivery, recovering ride demand

Uber Technologies Inc on Wednesday reported its second quarterly operating profit as demand for its ride-hailing service approached pre-pandemic levels and its food delivery business turned profitable for the first time. The company’s first-quarter outlook fell short of Wall Street expectations as the Omicron coronavirus variant dampens travel, but Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said business had started… Continue reading Uber posts quarterly profit on strong delivery, recovering ride demand

Uber wrapped 2021 with strong revenue growth and greater adjusted profitability

Today after the bell, Uber reported its fourth-quarter financial performance. The company saw $25.9 billion in gross platform spend, up 51% compared to its year-ago result, and revenues of $5.78 billion, up 83% compare to Q4 2020. The company also reported GAAP net income of $0.44 per share, though that number did include non-operating items… Continue reading Uber wrapped 2021 with strong revenue growth and greater adjusted profitability

Lyft’s revenue growth masks active riders slippage

U.S. ride-hailing company Lyft dropped its fourth-quarter financial results Tuesday, a report that showed a mixed bag of growth — that in the area of active riders failed to meet analysts’ expectations. The public company had Q4 2021 revenues of $969.9 million, up around 70% from its year-ago quarter that was hit hard by the… Continue reading Lyft’s revenue growth masks active riders slippage

Uber’s app will beep until you buckle your seatbelt

Uber has no qualms about annoying its customers to pressure them to do something. The latest example is a new feature that will emit a series of chimes until passengers buckle their seatbelts. Previously, Uber drivers would rely on signage to encourage passengers to secure their seatbelts. (Google “Uber seatbelt sign,” and you’ll see plenty… Continue reading Uber’s app will beep until you buckle your seatbelt

The self-driving car industry is abandoning the term ‘self-driving’ and leaving it to Tesla

So long, Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets; hello, Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association! The AV industry’s top lobbying group in Washington, DC is rebranding, dropping the reference to “self-driving” in exchange for a more straightforward moniker. The group, which was founded in 2016 by Waymo, Ford, Lyft, Uber, and Volvo, lobbies lawmakers to pass legislation favorable… Continue reading The self-driving car industry is abandoning the term ‘self-driving’ and leaving it to Tesla

The Station: How ADAS is failing drivers, Luminar’s lidar and data deal, GM expands its hydrogen fuel cell plans

The Station is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here — just click The Station — to receive it every weekend in your inbox. Hello readers: Welcome to The Station, your central hub for all past, present and future means of moving people and packages from Point A to Point B. Amid… Continue reading The Station: How ADAS is failing drivers, Luminar’s lidar and data deal, GM expands its hydrogen fuel cell plans

The Station: Cali regulators eye Tesla FSD, Turo files to go public, Local Motors shuts down

The Station is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here — just click The Station — to receive it every weekend in your inbox. Hello readers: Welcome to The Station, your central hub for all past, present and future means of moving people and packages from Point A to Point B. I’ll… Continue reading The Station: Cali regulators eye Tesla FSD, Turo files to go public, Local Motors shuts down

Future autonomous Waymo EV will be custom built for ride-hailing with no steering wheel

Waymo One is Alphabet’s Lyft/Uber competitor that’s live in Phoenix and currently undergoing testing in San Francisco. Waymo today announced a future EV for its US ride-hailing service that will be “rider-first” and have no steering wheel. Waymo today announced an OEM collaboration with Geely, a Chinese automotive company that has several subsidiary brands like… Continue reading Future autonomous Waymo EV will be custom built for ride-hailing with no steering wheel